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School of Medical Imaging and Therapeutics Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography,
Frances Keech, DHSc, RT(N), MBA, FSNMMI, TS; Dean and Associate Professor
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
Jeffrey C. Hill, MS, BS, ACS, FASE, , Assistant Professor - Echocardiography Track Erin O’Hora, BS, RDMS, RVT, Assistant Professor/Clinical Coordinator - General Track Bryan Doldt, BS, RDCS, FASE, Program Director, Assistant Professor - Echocardiography Track Jennifer Miller, MHSc, RDMS, RVT, Program Director, Assistant Professor - General Track Tiela Robert, BS, RDMS, RVT, RT(R)(CT), Assistant Professor/Clinical Coordinator - General Track Debra Crandell, EdD, RDMS, Assistant Professor - General Track Marie Ficociello, MS, RDCS, Assistant Professor/Clinical Coordinator - Echocardiography Track
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Program
Lori Nugent, DHS, MEd, RT(R)(MR), Program Director and Assistant Professor
Nuclear Medicine Technology Program
David Gilmore, EdD, CNMT, NCT, RT(N)(R), FSNMMI, TS; Program Director and Associate Professor Anne Joseph MEd, RT(N), (CT); Clinical Coordinator and Instructor
Radiation Therapy Program
Kelly Ebert MPA, BS, RT(T) Program Director and Associate Professor Janki Patel, MBA, MHA, RT(R)(T), Clinical Coordinator and Assistant Professor
Radiography Program
Michael Farah MS Ed, RT(R), (CT) Program Director and Assistant Professor Ryan Piccinin, BS, RT(R), Clinical Coordinator and Assistant Professor
Degree and Certificate Programs
Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography-General (Accelerated) Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography-General (Fast Track) Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography-Echo (Accelerated) Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography-Echo (Fast Track) Bachelor of Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Accelerated) Bachelor of Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Fast Track) Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology (Accelerated) Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology (Fast Track) Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy (Fast Track) Bachelor of Science in Radiography (Accelerated) Bachelor of Science in Radiography (Fast Track) Bachelor of Science in Radiography-Physician Assistant Pathway Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (Degree Completion) Master of Science in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Program Master of Science in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Bridge Program Advanced Certificate Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging* Advanced Certificate in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)* Advanced Certificate in Mammography* Advanced Certificate in Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT)* *Online programs
Observation
Candidates and students must have sufficient capacity to observe in the lecture hall, laboratory, and diagnostic and treatment areas of outpatient and inpatient settings. Sensory skills to perform the procedures of the healthcare profession in which students are enrolled are required. In any case where a candidate’s or a student’s ability to observe or acquire information through sensory modalities is compromised, the candidate or student must demonstrate alternative means and/or abilities to acquire and demonstrate the essential information conveyed in this fashion.
Communication
Candidates and students must be able to communicate effectively in both academic and healthcare settings. Candidates and students must show evidence of effective written and oral communication skills and must be able to communicate with patients in order to elicit and impart information.
Motor
The ability to participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures is required. Candidates and students must have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required to properly care for all patients and must be able to perform motor functions with or without assistive devices.
Intellectual
Candidates and students must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize. Problem solving, one of the critical skills demanded of healthcare professionals, requires all of these intellectual abilities. Candidates and students must be able to read and understand medical literature. In order to complete the specific Health Sciences program, students must be able to demonstrate mastery of these skills and the ability to use them together in a timely fashion in healthcare problem solving and patient care.
Behavioral and Social Attributes
Candidates and students must possess the emotional health and stability required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt completion of all academic and patient care responsibilities. The development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and other members of the healthcare team is essential. The ability to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice, flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, and concern for others are all required.
Students interested in medical imaging and therapeutics (diagnostic medical sonography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, or radiography) are required to meet technical standards specific to each program. Students should read the technical standards specific to the program they are interested in completing.
School of Medical Imaging and Therapeutics Policies and Professional Requirements
To be in good academic standing, students in the School of Medical Imaging and Therapeutics programs must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in professional courses. Students also must earn a minimum grade of C+ in the professional courses in the major, including all clinical internships. Any student who fails a professional course twice is dismissed from the program.
Students whose clinical performance during the internship rotation is unsatisfactory receive a warning from their clinical supervisor by the middle of the rotation; those who fail two internship rotations are dismissed from the program.
In addition to being in good academic and financial standing, students must complete all professional coursework at MCPHS to receive their degrees in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiography, Respiratory Therapy or Radiation Therapy programs or the certificate in MRI, Mammography, or CT.
BCLS Certification
All students in School of Medical Imaging and Therapeutics programs must have current certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) for Healthcare Professionals before they begin their clinical rotations (DMS 302C [General track], DMS 306C [Echocardiography track], MRI 402, NMT 330C, RTT 325C, or RAD 201C).
Eligibility for Certification—ARRT
Candidates for certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) must successfully complete a program of formal education that is accredited by a mechanism acceptable to the ARRT. Candidates also must comply with the rules of ethics contained in the ARRT Standards of Ethics. These include but are not limited to compliance with state and federal laws. A conviction or plea of guilty to, or plea of nolo contendere to a crime that is either a felony or a crime of moral turpitude must be investigated by the ARRT in order to determine eligibility.
Pregnancy Policy
NOTE: This policy applies to all female students in the Nuclear Medicine Technology, Mammography and Computed Tomography programs. In the event a female student becomes pregnant, the student may choose to declare her pregnancy, since there is a potential risk to the developing fetus from radiation exposure. In the event a student chooses to declare her pregnancy, the student will notify the program director in writing that she is pregnant and also state the estimated date of conception. The MCPHS Declaration of Pregnancy for Radiation Workers form, available in the School of Medical Imaging and Therapeutics dean’s office, shall be used for this purpose. A copy of this declaration will be forwarded to the Radiation Safety Officer. Choosing not to declare a pregnancy will result in exemption from the specific state radiation protection regulations limiting the exposure to the embryo/fetus.
Once the student declares herself to be pregnant, the Radiation Safety Officer will issue to the student • a second badge to be worn during the gestation period at waist level to serve as a measure of embryo/fetus exposure. The radiation exposure control criterion for this student will be to limit exposures to this waist-level badge to less than 50 mrem/month (0.5 millisieverts). • a copy of the applicable state regulations (105CMR120.203, 105CMR120.218, 105CMR120.267) that deal with exposure to the embryo/fetus • a copy of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Guide 8.13, Instruction Concerning Prenatal Radiation Exposure, and Guide 8.29, Instruction Concerning Risks from Radiation Exposure. The student will be given an opportunity to discuss this material with the Radiation Safety Officer or his or her representative.
In order to adhere to Commonwealth of Massachusetts Regulation 105CMR120.218, which requires that “the dose to an embryo/fetus during the entire pregnancy, due to occupational exposure of a declared pregnant woman, does not exceed 500 mrem (5 millisieverts),” the student is offered the following options: • The student may continue in the program so long as her embryonic/fetal exposures are in conformance with the requirements of 105CMR120.218. If the student chooses this option, the following procedure must be followed: • All efforts must be made by the student to ensure that the total exposure to the waist badge does not exceed 500 mrem (5 millisieverts) for the entire gestation period. • The student and program director are to be notified, in writing, by the Radiation Safety Officer, if more than 80% of this dose (400 mrem) is received. • The student and program director are to be notified, in writing, by the Radiation Safety Officer if the monthly recommendation of 50 mrem is exceeded. • The student is expected to utilize her knowledge of radiation control principles at all times to further minimize her exposure. • If the maximum total exposure for the gestation period is reached, the student, Radiation Safety Officer, and program director must agree on an alternate option. • The student may request a leave of absence from the career component of the program. The student may continue with general education courses without modification or interruption. • The student has the option for withdrawal of the declaration of pregnancy.
NOTE: Experience shows that the radiation workers in these programs generally receive to the whole body well below 500 mrem per year, 50 mrem per month, and it is most unlikely that there will be any problems adhering to the fetal exposure limits.
Policy for Content Validation after Nonprogression or Leave of Absence
Students who have not been continuously attending courses for a period of one semester or more in an undergraduate School of Medical Imaging and Therapeutics (SMIT) professional course, or who withdraw from a SMIT program via leave of absence, must validate previous knowledge and skills held prior to program exit before they may reenroll in SMIT professional courses. Reenrollment is subject to clinical placement availability. (NOTE: Students returning from a leave of absence must confirm their intent to return as specified in the Return from Leave of Absence section. There is no guarantee that space will be available at the desired time of return of the student; it may take up to two years for reentry due to lack of clinical placement availability.) This policy applies to all undergraduate SMIT programs.
The validation will occur via the student’s demonstration of knowledge and skills, such as meeting established program clinical competencies, in a selected clinical facility or simulation laboratory. This requires that students notify the program director of the desired date of return a minimum of 30 days prior to the anticipated return in order to make arrangements for preparing and performing validation testing. Program faculty will provide guidance as to what content and skills (competencies) need to be reviewed by students prior to the testing, but it is the student’s responsibility to prepare for the validation testing.
Students attempting to return from a leave of absence also must have been cleared to return to classes by the designated
staff member in the Center for Academic Success and Enrichment (CASE) and by the Dean of Students or designee (if a medical leave of absence) prior to performing validation testing. The designated staff member in the Center for Academic Success and Enrichment will notify the Dean of SMIT when the student is eligible to take the validation test. Validation of knowledge will consist of a competency examination. A minimum grade of C on the competency examination is required. Program faculty will determine the content and skills to be included in the validation test.
If a student fails the validation test, they must enroll in a one-semester directed study course to remediate prior to reentering the program. This will delay the student’s reentry for at least one semester but likely for one year (or more if there is no clinical space available). The number of semester credits assigned to the directed study course will vary (1–3 semester credits) depending upon the number of semesters successfully completed in the program. If the student completed two or fewer semesters, 1 credit will be assigned; if three or four semesters, 2 credits; and if more than four semesters, 3 credits. Students may take general education courses concurrently with the directed study but may not take any program professional courses until the directed study has been successfully completed.
If a student does not pass the directed study with a minimum of C on the first attempt, they will be dismissed from their respective program.
Accelerated 32- to 36-Month Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Radiography *
The accelerated 32- to 36-month Bachelor of Science programs offer degrees in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT), and Radiography (RAD). The DMS and NMT programs are completed in 36 months, and the MRI, RTT, and RAD programs in 32 months. The Bachelor of Science program integrates didactic instruction in the liberal arts, basic and applied science, and the social sciences with clinical instruction provided by the clinical affiliates. The location of the University in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, as well as its affiliations with medical institutions located in the Greater Boston area, enable students to train in hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities that are among the best in the world. Students planning to major in one of the Medical Imaging and Therapeutics programs will be expected to specify the program of choice during the formal application process to MCPHS. Students who are uncertain about their program of choice are encouraged to complete a shadowing activity for each specialty area in order to decide which discipline they wish to study. If the student has firmly decided on the concentration they wish to pursue, the student should contact his or her local hospital to arrange a shadowing opportunity. If such arrangements cannot be made, the MCPHS director for that program will try to accommodate the request to establish a shadowing opportunity. All such requests will be processed on an individual basis based on available space and the specific shadowing requirements at affiliate institutions. Any request to change the major after matriculation to MCPHS will be based on availability of space in the new area of interest.
For internal transfers, admission into the desired program is subject to space availability; in addition, the following must be completed: • Transcript review by the appropriate program director and the dean of the school • A Change of Major form signed by the Center for Academic Success and Enrichment • A personal interview with the program director or designated program faculty • Clinical observation in which the student will shadow a clinical supervisor in the chosen major; this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the program director
Fast Track Bachelor of Science Degrees in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiation Therapy, and Radiography
Designed specifically for students with either an associate or bachelor’s degree in another field, these programs of study provide a fast track option for individuals ready for transition to a career in a discipline within medical imaging and therapeutics. Building on previous learning and experience gained from the student’s first degree, these programs will mirror the curricula of the three-year Bachelor of Science programs previously outlined in the prior section of this catalog.
In order to be eligible for these programs, students must possess a prior bachelor's or associate’s degree, or the appropriate amount of college credits and prerequisites. In addition to the prerequisite coursework, students admitted without a prior bachelor’s degree must also have completed coursework equivalent to the general education core curriculum; transfer and residency credits for these students must total a minimum of 120 credit hours.
Students with a bachelor's or associate’s degree, or the appropriate amount of college credits and prerequisites, may apply to the fast track program. Courses must have been completed at a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of C or better for transfer. Math and science courses taken more than ten years prior to the anticipated date of matriculation to MCPHS will not be accepted.
Required prerequisite courses for all students
• Anatomy and Physiology I & II with lab (8 credits) • Basic Chemistry I with lab (the MRI, RTT and NMT program also requires Chemistry II – 4 credits) • Physics I (Algebra-based) with lab (4 credits) * • Algebra and Trigonometry (3 credits) (Acceptable substitutions include Precalculus and Calculus) * • Expository Writing I (3 credits) • Statistics (3 credits) • Medical Terminology (1credit) *
TOTAL: 25(29) credits
* MRI and RTT students for Math require Precalculus and Calculus. MRI students for Physics require a calculus based 4 credit physics class
Additional courses required for students without a Bachelor's Degree:
• Expository Writing II (3 credits) • Introduction to Psychology (3 credits) • American Culture, Identity, and Public Life (3 credits) (Acceptable substitutions include American History, US History, U.S. Government, Western Civilization) • Humanities Elective (3 credits) (Acceptable courses include Literature, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Ethics, Religious Studies, Select Fine Arts, Advanced Level Languages) • Behavioral Science Elective (3 credits) (Acceptable courses include any upper level Psychology course) • Social Science elective (3 credits) (Acceptable courses include History, Political Science/Government, Anthropology, Upper-level Sociology, American Studies, Women Studies, Ethnic Studies, Geography, Economics)
For NMT students without a Bachelor’s Degree, additional courses are required: • Biology I & II (with labs) • Medical Microbiology
TOTAL: 18 credits
* NOTE: Medical terminology for DMS and MRI students is integrated into the professional phase and thus is not a course requirement
Clinical Rotations
A number of clinical rotations in the required curriculum may be scheduled at some distance from the campus. This is necessary to provide a range of diverse learning experiences and to ensure availability and quality of clinical rotation sites. The University makes every effort to accommodate requests regarding assignments to experiential education sites, but students generally can expect to be assigned to clinical sites at some distance from the campus for at least a portion of their required clinical rotations. In such instances, students are responsible for transportation and other related travel expenses.
